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October 1, 2008 FRA issues cell-phone ban
WASHINGTON -- In an emergency order, the Federal Railroad Administration
on Oct. 2 banned the use of personal electronic devices by railroad
employees while operating trains and in other settings.
The emergency order will be published in the Federal Register shortly,
and take effect 20 days later.
Violators of this prohibition are now subject to civil penalties and
removal from safety-sensitive service.
"Operating freight and passenger trains, and maintaining track and
signals requires the full and undivided attention of those charged with
carrying out such responsibilities," said FRA Administrator Joseph
Boardman.
The FRA's emergency order came after the National Transportation Safety
Board said on Oct. 1 that the Metrolink engineer involved in a Sept. 12
train accident in Los Angeles had sent a cell phone text message 22
seconds before his commuter train crashed head-on into a freight train,
killing 25, including the engineer.
Cell-phone records of engineer Robert Sanchez show he sent a text
message after receiving one about a minute and 20 seconds before the
crash, the NTSB said.
Records obtained from Sanchez's cell phone provider also showed that he
sent 24 text messages and received 21 messages over a two-hour period
during his morning shift, the NTSB said. During his afternoon shift, he
received seven and sent five messages, the NTSB said.
The FRA's Boardman also said:
"The bottom line is railroad operating employees cannot focus on their
critical safety functions while engaging in phone conversations, texting
or any other form of unessential electronic communication, often in
violation of railroad operating rules."
To read the emergency order, click below:
http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/PubAffairs/EmergencyOrder26.pdf.
October 1, 2008 Rail safety bill headed to
White House
WASHINGTON -- The Senate has passed, by a 74-24 vote, the Rail Safety
Improvement Act of 2008, and its companion, the Passenger Rail
Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) voted "yes." Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) voted
"no." The vote took place the evening of Oct. 1.
As the House previously voted in favor of the legislation, the two
bills, packaged together, now move to the White House. Rep. John Mica of
Florida, the senior Republican on the House Transportation &
Infrastructure Committee, said Oct. 2 that he was informed by the White
House that President Bush will sign the measure into law.
(More)
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